GeoTrust Anti-Malware FAQs

What is malware?

Malware is a general term for malicious software and is a growing problem on the internet. Hackers install malware by exploiting security weaknesses on servers and gaining access to websites. The malware code is not visible or easily detected, and may infect customers' computers when they simply browse a compromised website. Hackers use it to spread viruses, hijack computers or steal sensitive data such as credit card numbers or other personal information.

What are the benefits of purchasing an anti-malware scanning service?

Every website needs to be trusted to be successful. Growing concerns about fake sites, viruses and identity theft have made consumers reluctant to do business with websites that are not taking steps to protect them. With a GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Scan, you can:

Show visitors they are safe by displaying a trust mark from GeoTrust, the #1 brand of SSL for the top 1 million most visited domains on the web

How do I know if my website is free of malware?

Malware is rarely visible on your website; it is hidden in your web page code. A malware scan by a malware detection tool can help you identify infected code. The GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Scan includes a daily malware scan. If malware is detected, you will be notified and directed to a list of infected pages and the code causing the problem. Your website administrator can find and delete all instances of the code and request that your site be rescanned within 24 hours.

What does blacklisted mean?

Because of the potential damage caused by malware, Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines place any site found with malware on a blocked list or blacklist, excluding it from search results. If your site is blacklisted, it may be blocked entirely or flagged with a security alert to discourage click throughs. In addition, anti-virus plug-ins to popular browsers can detect malware and block access to infected sites.

Why is anti-malware scan services important?

Distribution of malware via websites almost doubled in 20101. With over 286 million unique variants of malware being identified last year* , your website is vulnerable to an attack. Don’t let your website be hacked.

* Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, volume 16, 2011

What happens if malware is detected on my website?

If malware is discovered, the GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Seal no longer displays. You receive an email alert warning you of the malware infection with instructions to sign in to the End User Portal. The End User Portal services tab shows a list of infected pages and the code causing the problem. You or your website administrator can find and delete all instances of the malware and request that your site be rescanned within 24 hours. When the scan confirms that all instances of malware are removed, the seal displays again.

What kind of website should use website anti-malware scanning?

Any website is at risk of being infected by malware. Small websites might be more vulnerable because they are less likely to have resources and expertise to detect and respond quickly to attacks. Malware may infect your customer’s computers when they simply browse your website. Targeting small websites with low traffic allows hackers to avoid detection longer and cause more damage.

How did someone infect my website?

Hackers are constantly developing new ways to exploit weaknesses on servers and attack websites. Once an exploit is found, they access your website and add malware without your knowledge or consent.

What does the GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Seal mean to my customers?

As consumers become more concerned about identity theft, they look for signs that a site is safe before doing business. By posting the GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Seal, you show customers that you care about their safety and that your site has passed the GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Scan within the past 24 hours.

Could website malware scanning slow down my website?

How can I protect my site from malware?

Like most thieves, malware hackers look for easy targets such as a website where malware will go undetected for as long as possible. The GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Scan includes a daily malware scan to detect malware and alert you with detailed information to respond quickly to the attack. Posting the GeoTrust Website Anti-Malware Seal on your website is like posting an alarm security sign in your front window. It shows hackers that your site is scanned daily to detect malware.